Coseteng set to file charges vs ex-Pagcor chief Genuino

MANILA — Sports advocate Nikki Coseteng will file charges against former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chair Ephraim Genuino at the Office of the Ombudsman tomorrow for the “direct financial assistance” given to the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (Pasa).

Coseteng, a former senator, will file the case together with Philippine Swimming League (PSL) president Susan Papa on the alleged P30 million donation given by Pagcor to Pasa’s four-year training program for the 2012 London Olympics.

“The donation did not pass through the Philippine Sports Commission, which is the due process,” Coseteng’s group said in a statement released yesterday.

“The funds are missing and there is no accounting to date, along with Pasa’s funds from 2004 to the present that have not been settled with the proper authorities such as the PSC, Commission on Audit, and Securities and Exchange Commission.”

In a previous interview with the Inquirer, aquatics chief Mark Joseph said Pasa has “a long-term development program” with Pagcor that is separate from the PSC.

Coseteng also said in the statement that her group already requested a “detailed COA audit of all the funds remitted directly by Pagcor to Pasa/Mark Joseph,” but the request “has never been granted to this date.”